School board budget includes property tax increase

Tuesday

Alachua County School Board members passed a $423 million annual budget on Tuesday, as well as a slight property tax increase that district leaders say is necessary to qualify for state grants.

The millage rate was set at 3.896 for the fiscal year, compared with the 2018-19 rate of 4.016. Although the millage rate is lower, it is bringing in more revenue because property values have increased.

The increase will bump annual taxes up a little less than $5 for an average homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000 of taxable value. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in taxable property.

Alex Rella, assistant superintendent for business services, previously said the tax increase is required for the School Board to continue to be eligible for grants from the Florida Education Finance Program.

The total budget, up $51 million, accounts for classroom materials and slightly more money for school security features.

The millage rate and budget received no feedback from the public Tuesday night, and passed by a vote of 4-1.

School Board Member Tina Certain was the only board member to vote against the budget, and said she would like to see a more extensive financial summary from the district.

“I’m not saying anyone is mismanaging money, but when we go to citizens and we say the state is cutting our budget and we’re short and we have to do these things, it would be really good to know this information and what is lacking,” she said.

Later in the meeting, a few residents approached the board with concerns over the recent removal of Lake Forest Elementary’s principal, Karla Hutchinson.

The group collectively said Hutchinson played a vital role at the east Gainesville school, and should not have been removed from her post.

“Since 2011, she has helped to turn Williams from a D school to a B School, as assistant principal at Rawlings, it went from an F to a C,” said Chanae Baker, a Gainesville resident with children in the school system.

Hutchinson was removed as principal, her last day on Sept. 13, due to low school performance. State law requires a principal’s removal if school performance consistently declines.

School Board Member Gunnar Paulson said the state is the one who mandated Hutchinson’s removal, then criticized those who spoke for only complaining about the issue instead of providing solutions.

“You know something, you as a community member might be wrong some time just like us as board members might be wrong,” he said. “That’s amazing, isn’t it? Have you ever thought about that? You ought to think about that. Because when I get up here, I sit here and listen and I get the feeling a lot of people don’t think they’re ever wrong.”

He said he would be willing to discuss the issue privately with residents.

Certain was the only other board member to address those in attendance, saying she appreciated their comments and that she was also willing to talk with concerned community members.

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